Controlling device for heating systems



March 5, 1935. c. ROSENBLAD 1,993,635

I CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR HEATING SYSTEHS Filed O'ct. 31,1952 Z S I I'eetS-Sheet' 1 -M 5, 1935. R'OSENBLAD 1,993 68 CONTROLLING DEVICE. FOR HEATING SYSTEI S Filed Oct. 31, 1932 2 Sheets-51199122 Patented Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED-STATES CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR. HEATING Y SYSTEMS Curt Rosenblad, Stockholm, Sweden Application October 31,- 1932, Serial No. 640,569

In Sweden November 2, 1931 i 11 Claims.

This invention refers to heating apparatus, such as radiators, inserted into one. or more circuits of circulation from a, source of heat, which at the same time feeds other heat consuming apparatus.

Such plants are, for instance, central heating plants for dwelling-houses operated by means of hot water circulating through the radiators, while there is simultaneously a system for supplying hot tap-water for bath-rooms,-for domestic purposes etc. In such central heating plants it is common practice to have a single boiler to heat the hot water for the circulation through the radiators and for tapping and it is desirable that the hot tap-water shall have a relatively high temperature and for this reason it is necessary to have such high temperature in the boiler too, but on the other hand it is as a rule often necessary to keep the hot water circulating through the radiators at a lower temperature to prevent the temperature in the rooms from raising too high.-

. perature of the latter before it is passed through the radiators. The control of the temperatures of the hot water in the system of circulation and in the tap-water system was, however, heretofore difiicult, particularly because such control is generally carried out by unskilled firemen. The same difiiculties arise in other cases in which hot water of different temperatures is to be supplied from one and the same boiler or system of boilers.

The chief object of this invention is to render it possible to control the temperatures of hot water delivered from one and the same boiler or system of boilers to difierent values for different purposes, by means of one single control device.

Another purpose of this invention, as applied to central heating systems, is to renderv it possible to have a high temperature of the water in the boiler and in the tap-water system while the tem-' perature of the hot water for the radiators may safely and exactlybe controlled to any desired value independently thereof. The high temperature in the boiler increases the fuel economy and facilitates the control of the draft for the furnace heating the boiler.

A further object of this invention is to effect an exact control of the temperature of the hot water for radiators within 'narrow limits, thus bringing about a more-comfortable heating of the rooms and simultaneously saving fuel.

A further object of this invention is to control safely and easily the supply of heat to radiator systems from a central place.

A further object of this invention is to render it possible to disconnect the boiler from the circuits of circulation, the heat consumers and also from other boilers rapidly, easily and without any risk of mistakes. In such cases the risers and the return mains of the boiler are always throttled or opened to the same degree. The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings.

Fig. 1 shows an open heating system with radiators and hot tap-water distribution and provided with a control device in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a vertical central section through the control device proper, on a larger scale.

Fig. 3 shows a greater plant having several control devices in accordance with this invention. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line IVIV in Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings 1 indicates a boiler 'of the conventional design for heating hot water. The hot water heated in the boiler passes partially through a pipe 2 to a heater 3 for heating hot water for tapping purposes indirectly, and partially through a pipe 4 to the riser 5 of an open radiator or central heating plant. At its top the riser 5 is connected with an expansion tank 6 having an open vent tube 7 and an overflow pipe 8. Between the riser or supply main 5 and the return main 9 radiators 101 are inserted in the usual manner. The supply main 5 and the return main 9 are in addition interconnected by means of a shunt pipe 10 which at its bottom is connected with the boiler 1 by means of a-retum conduit 11. The pipe 2 is connected with a heating coil 2a in the heater 3 and the water cooled in this coil is returned to the boiler 1 through a return pipe 12. Cold fresh water is supplied through the pipe 3a to the tapdrawn off through the pipe 315 leading to bathrooms, kitchens and other places where tapping shall be made. The radiator plant and the heater 3 for hot tap-water thus constitute two circuits of circulation having a common boiler. As men- 4 and 5 a valve or cock plug 13 is inserted to 'control the size of the area of passage between said two pipes. At the valve 13 the shunt pipe 40 water heater, and heated by the coil 2a and then is also controlled by said valve 13. The valve 13 is secured to a spindle or shaft 15 adapted to be actuated by means of a handle 16 secured to one end of the same and accessible from the outside. On the spindle 15 also a second valve 17 is secured to control the size of the area of passage from the return pipe 9 to the pipe 11. The passage between the return main 9 and the shunt pipe 10 is on the contrary always open. It may be remarked that in the embodiment shown, the valves 13 and 17 are quite similar in structure.

The valves 13 and 17 are arranged in such manner that upon turning the handle 16 in one direction the passages between the return pipes 9 and 11 on one hand and between the pipes 4 and 5 on the other hand are opened while simultaneously the passage between the return pipe 10 and the pipe 5 is throttled. If, however, theactuating handle 16 is turned to opposite direction the said three passages are opened and throttled simultaneously in the opposite jmanner.

In such heating plants the hot water boiler shall always have a free outlet to the expansion tank 6, and this is in the simplest manner attained by connecting the pipe 4 directly with the riser 5, as shown. To prevent the liquid from circulating normally through the connecting pipe said latter pipe 18 is U-shaped and connected to the riser at 19. The liquid seal constituted by the pipe 18 is necessary to prevent disturbances of the operation of the control device.

The device described acts as follows:

The water cooled in the radiators 101 and returned through the return main 9 will partially be returned to the boiler through pipe 11 and partially be returned through shunt pipe 10 to riser 5 in which it is mixed with hot water flowing from pipe 4 so that the mixture thus attained will'have a lower temperature than that of. the hot water drawnoff via pipe 3b from the heater 3 for tapping purposes. The ratio between said two temperatures may be adjusted to any desired value by means of the operating handle 16. When said handle 16 is turned in one direction the supply of hot water from pipe 4 to riser 5 will be increased and simultaneously the supply of cooled water from shunt pipe 10 to said riser be decreased, while at the same time the quantity of cooled return water per unit of time from return main 9 via pipe 11 to the boiler 1 is increased to replace the'higher quantity of hot water drawn oil through pipe 4. If, however, said handle 16 is turned in the opposite direction the effect will be quite contrary. In one of the two extreme positions of the handle 16 the passage from shunt pipe 10 to pipe 5 is quite 1 closed or shut off and the passages between pipes 4 and 5 and also between pipes9 and 11 are completely open to cause hot water of the highest temperature, i. e. the temperature of the boiler,

to flow through the radiators, while in the other extreme position of handle 16 the shunt pipe 10 is completely open and the passages between pipes 4 and 5 and also between pipes 9 and 11 are entirely closed and shut off thus cutting off all circulation through the radiators. Intermediate positions of handle 16 will give temperature conditions between the extreme values. The valve cocks 13, 17 shall in advance be adjusted to their correct angular positions.

The handle 16 may be controlled by hand, or by means of a thermostatic device of the conventional design.

In the greater plant shown in Fig. 3 the hot water pipe 4 from the boiler 1 and the return pipe 11 to the boiler form two mains to which a number of individual circuits of circulation are connected in parallel. In this plant the circulation is efiected by means of a centrifugal pump 21 inserted into pipe 4. A and B indicate two main circulating systems having risers 5\and return pipes 9. In said mains 5 and 9 of the systems A and B control devices 22 and 23 of the type shown in Fig. 2 are inserted. To each main system A or B a number of smaller circuits of circulation are connected. In the drawings such smallercircuits are shown forthe main system A only and indicated by C and D. Said smaller circuits have their supply pipes 5a and return pipes 9a connected with the main pipes 5 and 9 via control devices 24 and 25 of the type shown in Fig. 2. The small circuits, such as C and D, may be assumed to represent the radiator systems in the different floors or stories of the house, while the main systems A and B may be assumed to represent difierent sides of the house, for instance, the sunny side and the shady side of the house. Because the plant shown in Fig. 3 will act in a manner analogous to that of the plant shown in Fig. 1, it is not necessary to describe its action here. The controlling devices 22, 23, 24 and 25, which may be actuated from suitable thermostats, if desired, may be adjusted in such manner that the hot water circulating through the radiators in the different parts of the house or plant will have suitable temperatures, and it is possible to control said temperature for each small circuit, such as C and D, independently of the temperature of the hot water for tapping.

purposes from pipe 32) and also of the temperature of the hot water circulating through the radiators in other parts of the house. Thus, the temperature of the hot water in each small circuit, such as C and D, may be controlled independently of the other circuits of circulation and the temperatures of the hot water of the main circuits A and B may be controlled independently of each other, which is desirable, because it is generally suitable to have a somewhat higher temperature of the hot water for the radiators of the shady side than for those of the sunny side of the house.

A satisfactorycontrol is, however, in most cases attained in the plant shown in Fig. 3 by providing either the regulators 24, 25 only or the regulators 22, 23 only.

The device described may of course be used in central heating systems in which more than one house is heated from a central boiling plant, and may also be used in other plants than central heating systems with a heater for hot tapwater. Thus, the device in accordance with this invention may be used in systems having heaters inserted into one .or more circuits ofv circulation from a source of heat, which simultaneously feeds other heat-consuming devices. It may also be used in plants having several circuits of circulation connected to a common source of heat to control said circuits of circulation independently of each other.

The number of cock plugs or valves on the spindle may be higher than two. 'In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the pump may in some cases be omitted, and an expansion tank inserted in the usual manner.

What I claim is: e

1. In a heating system,- in combination, a source of heat, a supply pipe from said source of heat, a return pipe to said source of heat, a circuit of circulation inserted between said supply pipe and said return pipe, heat consuming apparatus in said circuit of circulation, a shunt pipe between the two connections of said circuit to said supply pipe and said return pipe, operatively 'while simultaneously throttling the passage through said shunt pipe, or vice versa, and another heat consumer directly connected with said source of heat, said other heat consumer being independent of the control eiIected by said valves.

2. In a heating system, in combination, a source of heat, a supply pipe from said source of heat, a return pipe to said source of heat, circuits of circulation inserted between said supply pipe and said return pipe, heat consuming means in said circuits of circulation, a shunt pipe between the two connections of one of said circuits to said supply pipe and said return pipe, operatively interconnected valves adapted to control said shunt pipe, said supply pipe and said return pipe, and a common actuating member for said valves to open the passages through said supply pipe and said return pipe while simultaneously throttling the passage through said shunt pipe, or vice versa.

3. In a heating system, in combination, a source of heat, a supply main from said source of heat for a fluid heated by said source of heat, a return main for said fluid to said source of heat, a branch circuit inserted between said mains, heat-consumers in said branch circuit, a shunt pipe between the connections of said branch circuit to said mains, valves in said branch circuit and said shunt pipe .to open the passages between said mains and said branch circuit, while simultaneously throttling said shunt pipe, and reversely, a common spindle for said valves, and a control handle on said spindle, the passages from said mains-to said branch circuit being cut ofi in one extreme position of said handle, while the passage through said shunt pipe is cut ofi in the other extreme position of said handle.

4. In a heating system, in combination, a boiler inserted between said supply pipe and said re- .turn pipe, 2. heat consuming apparatus in said circuit of circulation, a shunt pipe between the two connections of said circuit to said supply pipe and said return pipe, operatively interconnected valves adapted to control said shunt pipe, said supply pipe and said return pipe, and a common operating member for all of said valves to open the passages from said boiler through said controlled supply pipe and to said boiler through said controlled return pipe, while simultaneously throttling the passage throughsaid shunt pipe, or vice versa. 1

5. In a heating system, a hot water supply source, a heat consuming apparatus, a supply conduit connecting the hot water supply source with the heat consuming apparatus, a return conduit for conducting water from said apparatus back to the source, a shunt pipe connected to said supply and return conduits across the heat consuming apparatus, a. spindle extending through said shunt pipe, a valve fixed on said spindle and located at the junction of the shunt pipe with one of said conduits for controlling flow of water through said one conduit and between said shunt pipe and said one conduit, a second valve fixed on said spindle at the junction of the shunt pipe with the other of said conduits, said valve controlling flow of water through said other conduit, said spindle and valves comprising means for simultaneously opening the communication through said conduits between said supply sourceand said shunt pipe while throttling said shunt pipe, and reversely.

6. In a heating system, a hot water supply source, a heat consuming apparatus, a supply conduit connecting the hot water supply source with the heat consuming apparatus, a return conduit for'conducting water from said apparatus back to said source,said conduits and apparatus constituting a circulation circuit, a shunt pipe connected to said supply and return conduits of said circuit across the heat consuming apparatus, means comprising a plurality of valves for controlling flow of water through said supply conduit, through said return conduit and through said shunt pipe, a common operating member for said valves to open the communication through said branch conduits'between said supply source and said shunt pipe while throttling the shunt pipe, and reversely, anda hot tapwater system connected with the hot water supply source.

7. In a heating system, a hot water supply source, a heat consuming apparatus, a supply conduit connecting the hot water supply source with the heat consuming apparatus, a return conduit for conducting water from said apparatus .back to said source, said conduits and apparatus constituting a circulation circuit, a shunt pipe connected to said supply and return conduits of said circuit across the heat consuming apparatus, means comprising a plurality of valves for controlling flow of water through said supply conduit, through said return conduit, and

through said shunt pipe, a common operating member for said valves to open the passages through'said conduits while throttling the shunt pipe, and reversely, a tap-water heater, said heater having a coil, supply and return conduits connecting the hot. water source and said coil, and tap-water supplyand outlet pipes connected to said heater;

8. In a heating system, a hot water supply source, a heat consuming apparatus, a supply conduit connecting the hot water supply source with 'the' heat consuming apparatus, a return conduit for conducting water from said apparatus back to said source, said conduits and apparatus constituting a circulation circuit, a shunt pipe connected to said supply and return conduits of said circuit across the heat consuming apparatus, means comprising a plurality of valves for controlling flow of water through said supply conduit, through said return conduit and through said shunt pipe, a common operating member for said valves to open the passages through said conduits while throttling the shunt pipe, and reversely, an expansion tank connected with said circulation circuit, and a U-shaped bypass pipe connected to one of said conduits across the controlling valve of said conduit, said by-pass pipe being permanently open and forming a' liquid seal.

' 9. In a heating system, a hot water,supply source, a heat consuming apparatus, a supply conduit connecting the hot water supply source.

with the heat consuming apparatus, a return conduit for conducting water from said apparatus back to said source, said conduits and apparatus constituting a .circulation circuit, a

shunt pipe connected to said supply and return conduits of said circuit across the heat consuming apparatus, means comprising a. plurality of valves for controlling flow or water through said supply conduit, through said return conduit and through said shunt pipe, a commonoperating member for said valves to open the passages through said conduits while throttling the shunt pipe, and reversely, an expansion tank connected with said circulation circuit, said tank having a maximum level higher than any other point in the system, and a U-shaped by-pass pipe connected to one of said conduits across the controlling valve of said conduit, said bypass pipe being permanently open and forming a liquid seal.

10. In a heating system, a hot water supply source, a supply main from said source, ,a return main to said source, a heat consuming apparatus, a supply conduit connecting the heat consuming apparatus with said supply main, a return conduit connecting said apparatus with said return main, a shunt pipe connected between said conduits across said apparatus, a spindle extending in said shunt pipe and having an operating handle, valves secured on said spindle, one of said valves being located at the junction of the shunt pipe with one of said conduits and controlling flow of water through said conduit and through said shunt pipe, and the other valve being located at the junction of the shunt pipe with the other conduit and controlling flow through said conduit, said spindle and valves comprising means for simultaneously enlarging the flow passages through said conduits between said source and said shunt pipe while throttling the shunt pipe and reversely, and another heat consuming apparatus connected with said supply main and being independent of the control effected by said valves.

'11. In a heating system a hot water supply conduits, a spindle in said primary, shunt pipe having an operating handle, a valve secured on said spindle at the junction of .the primary shunt pipe with one of said primary branch conduits I for controlling flow through said one primary branch conduit and through said primary shunt pipe, a valve secured on said spindle at the junction of said primary shunt pipe with the other primary branch conduit for controlling flow through said other primary branch conduit, said spindle and valves comprising means for simultaneously enlarging the flow passages through said primary branch conduits between said source and said primary shunt pipe while throttling the how passage of the primary shunt pipe and reversely, a secondary shunt pipe connected between the secondary supply and return conduits across the heat consumer, a spindle in said secondary shunt pipe having an operating handle and having a valve secured thereon at the junction of the secondary shunt pipe and one of said secondary branch conduits for controlling flow through said one secondary branch conduit and through said secondary shunt pipe, a valve located in the secondary shunt pipe secured on the spindle of said secondary shunt pipe for controlling flow through said secondary shunt pipe, the spindle of said secondary shunt pipe and the valves secured thereon comprising means for simultaneously opening the flow passages through said secondary branch conduits between the source and said secondary shunt pipe while throttling the passage through said secondary shunt pipe, and reversely.

CURT ROSENBLAD. 

